Technology & Engineering Course Descriptions

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWING

Semester - Grades 10-12

Instructional units will deal with theory of design, living areas, service area, sleeping area, techniques, electrical plans, architectural work drawings, building methods and materials, required sizes, schedules and building codes. Assignments will be given in blueprint reading and the building trades. The student will draw a floor plan, four elevations, and a wall section of a home he/she designs and plans.

PREREQUISITE:  Computer Aided Drafting 1

COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING 1

Semester - Grades 9-12

This course will expose the student to the latest technology in graphic communications. It is designed to provide experience using computer aided drafting system tools for drafting and design. Students will develop a basic understanding of computer operations, file management, and specifically "AutoCad" software operations. This knowledge will serve as an extension of skills previously developed in Manufacturing Processes. This course serves as a building block for more in-depth Computer Aided Drafting (CAD) applications in Computer Aided Drafting 2 and/or Architectural Drawing.

PREREQUISITE:  Manufacturing Processes

COMPUTER AIDED DRAFTING 2

Semester - Grades 10-12

This course is a continuation of Computer Aided Drafting 1. Study in the use of the "CAD" system will be in greater depth. This course is designed to give the student the opportunity to become more proficient in the use of "CAD" as a toll for graphic communication. The student will be engaged in problem solving using their working knowledge of "AutoCAD" and Inventor Pro to draw and design objects that would meet manufacturing requirements. Students who wish to earn St. Louis Community College Credit for successfully completing the course need to enroll at St. Louis Community College under the dual credit program and will receive transcripted credit. 

PREREQUISITE:  Computer Aided Drafting 1

SPECIALIZED DRAFTING

Semester-Grades 11-12

This course is designed to provide specialized in-depth experiences in a rather specialized phase of drafting such as descriptive geometry, technical drawing, architectural drawing, and tool design. This is an independent study type of course and the student must obtain permission from the drafting teacher in advance to enroll in the course. The student must identify the problem he/she wishes to work on and provide a program outline. A student who qualifies will be allowed into specialized drafting technology at the beginning of the semester if space is available in an advanced drafting section.

PREREQUISITE: Computer Aided Drafting 2 

CERTIFIED NURSE ASSISTANT/HEALTH SCIENCES

Full Year - Grade 12

The Health Sciences program teaches the skills necessary for a foundation in healthcare through a combination of classroom activities and actual on-the-job clinical experiences in nursing homes and hospitals. Students learn human anatomy and physiology, medical terminology, disease processes, CPR, first aid, vital signs, human relations skills, and basic healthcare skills while learning to think critically and reason. An emphasis is placed on job readiness and professionalism in the workplace. Upon completion of the program requirements, qualified students can take the Missouri State Exam to become Certified Nurse assistants. The Missouri State Exam contains both written and practical components. Students will have the opportunity to earn college credit through St. Louis Community College.

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PREREQUISITE: 2.0 GPA, Biology, & Health. Human Anatomy must be completed prior to or taken concurrently. Students will also need to complete an application and go through an approval process. This class requires a 2 hour block in the first semester and a 3 hour block second semester in student schedules. Students must earn a minimum of a C first semester to continue second semester.

COLLEGE CREDIT INTRODUCTION TO ENGINEERING DESIGN 

Full Year - Grades 9-12

In Introduction to Engineering Design (IED) students explore engineering tools and learn the engineering design process. Students progress from completing structured activities to solving open-ended projects and problems that require them to plan, document, communicate, and develop other professional skills. Through both individual and collaborative team activities, projects, and problems, students apply systems thinking and consider various aspects of engineering design including material selection, human-centered design, manufacturability, assimilability and sustainability. Students develop skills in technical representation and documentation especially through 3D computer modeling using a Computer Aided Design (CAD) application. As part of the design process, students produce precise 3D-printed engineering prototypes using an additive manufacturing process. Students also apply computational methods to inform design by developing algorithms, performing statistical analyses, and developing mathematical models. Students who wish to earn college credit from Missouri S&T for MECH ENG 1720, must earn a B average and earn a score of 6 or higher on the PLTW end-of-course test in at least two of PHS PLTW engineering courses.

PREREQUISITE:  Completed or concurrently enrolled in Algebra I

COLLEGE CREDIT AEROSPACE ENGINEERING

Full Year - Grades 11-12

Aerospace Engineering deepens the skills and knowledge of an engineering student within the context of atmospheric and space flight. Students explore the fundamentals of flight in air and space, design and test components related to flight such as an airfoil, propulsion system, and a rocket. They learn orbital mechanics concepts and apply these by creating models using industry-standard software. They also apply aerospace concepts to alternative applications such as a wind turbine and parachute. Students simulate a progression of operations to explore a planet, including creating a map of the terrain with a model satellite and using the map to execute a mission using an autonomous robot. Students who wish to earn college credit from Missouri S&T for MECH ENG 1720, must earn a B average and earn a score of 6 or higher on the PLTW end-of-course test in at least two of PHS PLTW engineering courses.

PREREQUISITE:  Algebra 1; Strongly recommended Introduction to Engineering Design or Principles of Engineering and concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 or teacher approval.

COLLEGE CREDIT DIGITAL ELECTRONICS  

Full Year - Grades 11-12

In Digital Electronics students will learn about electronic circuits that are used to process and control digital signals. The focus of the this course is to expose students to the design process of combinational and sequential logic design, teamwork, communication methods, engineering standards, and technical documentation. Students will analyze, design, and build digital electronic circuits. While implementing these designs, students will continually hone their professional skills, creative abilities, and understanding of the circuit design process. Digital Electronics is a unique and rigorous learning experience, focusing on understanding and implementing circuit design skills. Students who wish to earn college credit from Missouri S&T for MECH ENG 1720, must earn a B average and earn a score of 6 or higher on the PLTW end-of-course test in at least two of PLTW engineering courses.

PREREQUISITE: Algebra 1:  Strongly recommended Introduction to Engineering Design or Principles of Engineering and concurrently enrolled in Algebra 2 or teacher approval.

COLLEGE CREDIT PRINCIPLES OF ENGINEERING

Full Year - Grades 10–12

In Principles of Engineering (POE) students are exposed to some of the major concepts that they will encounter in a postsecondary engineering course. Students explore will mechanisms, materials and structures, automation, and kinematics through activity-based, project-based, and problem-based (APB) learning. Through rigorous and relevant design problems, students will hone their interpersonal skills, creative abilities, and problem solving skills that allow students to develop strategies to enable and direct their own learning. Students who wish to earn college credit from Missouri S&T for MECH ENG 1720, must earn a B average and earn a score of 6 or higher on the PLTW end-of-course test in at least two of PHS PLTW engineering courses.

PREREQUISITE: Completion of Algebra 1 with a C or better, currently enrolled in Geometry, successful completion of Introduction to Engineering Design or teacher approval

COLLEGE CREDIT ENGINEERING DESIGN AND DEVELOPMENT

Full Year--Grade 12

College Credit Engineering Design and Development (EDD) is the capstone course in the PLTW high school engineering program. It is an open-ended engineering research course in which students work in teams to design and develop an original solution to a well-defined and justified open-ended problem by applying an engineering design process. Students will perform research to select, define, and justify a problem. After carefully defining the design requirements and creating multiple solution approaches, teams of students select an approach, create, and test their solution prototype. Student teams will present and defend their original solution to an outside panel. While progressing through the engineering design process, students will work closely with experts and will continually hone their organizational, communication and interpersonal skills, their creative and problem solving abilities, and their understanding of the design process. Students who wish to earn college credit from Missouri S&T for MECH ENG 1720, must earn a B average and earn a score of 6 or higher on the PLTW end-of-course test in at least two of PHS PLTW engineering courses.

PREREQUISITE: Introduction to Engineering Design, Principles of Engineering, and one other PLTW Engineering course

COLLEGE CREDIT COMPUTER SCIENCE ESSENTIALS

Full Year-Grades 9-12

With emphasis on computational thinking and collaboration, this year-long course provides an excellent entry point for students to begin or continue the PLTW Computer Science K-12 experience. College Credit Computer Science Essentials will expose students to a diverse set of computational thinking concepts, fundamentals, and tools, allowing them to gain understanding and build confidence. 

In College Credit Computer Science Essentials, students will use visual, block-based programming and seamlessly transition to text-based programming with languages such as Python to create apps and develop websites, and learn how to make computers work together to put their design into practice. They will apply computational thinking practices, build their vocabulary, and collaborate just as computing professionals do to create products that address topics and problems important to them. College Credit Computer Science Essentials helps students create a strong foundation to advance to College Credit Computer Science Principles, College Credit Computer Science A, and beyond. College credit can be earned and accepted by select colleges based on grade and the Project Lead the Way end-of-course test. Students not desiring college credit are still encouraged to enroll in this class.

PREREQUISITE: None

COLLEGE CREDIT COMPUTER SCIENCE PRINCIPLES 

Full Year - Grades 10-12

Using Python® as a primary tool, students learn the fundamentals of coding, data processing, data security, and task automation, while learning to contribute to an inclusive, safe, and ethical computing culture. The course promotes computational thinking and coding fundamentals and introduces computational tools that foster creativity. College Credit Computer Science Principles helps students develop programming expertise and explore the workings of the Internet. Projects and problems include app development, visualization of data, cybersecurity, and simulation. 

PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science Principles (AP CSP). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSP’s offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSP assessment. College credit can be earned and accepted by select colleges based on grade and the Project Lead the Way end-of-course test. Students not desiring college credit are still encouraged to enroll in this class.

PREREQUISITE: Computer Science Essentials  or teacher approval

COLLEGE CREDIT COMPUTER SCIENCE A    

Full Year - Grades 10-12

Throughout the College Credit Computer Science A course experience, students cultivate their understanding of coding through analyzing, writing, and testing code as they explore concepts like modularity, variables, and control structures. Fundamental topics in this course include the design of solutions to problems, the use of data structures to organize large sets of data, the development and implementation of algorithms to process data and discover new information, the analysis of potential solutions, and the ethical and social implications of computing systems. The course emphasizes object-oriented programming and design using the Java programming language. PLTW is recognized by the College Board as an endorsed provider of curriculum and professional development for AP® Computer Science A (AP CSA). This endorsement affirms that all components of PLTW CSA's offerings are aligned to the AP Curriculum Framework standards and the AP CSA assessment. College credit can be earned and accepted by select colleges based on grade and the Project Lead the Way end-of-course test. Students not desiring college credit are still encouraged to enroll in this class.

PREREQUISITE: Computer Science Principles 

COLLEGE CREDIT CYBERSECURITY

Full Year--Grades 11-12

College Credit Cybersecurity introduces the tools and concepts of cybersecurity and encourages students to create solutions that allow people to share computing resources while protecting privacy. Nationally, computational resources are vulnerable and frequently attacked; in College Credit Cybersecurity, students solve problems by understanding and closing these vulnerabilities. This course raises students’ knowledge of and commitment to ethical computing behavior. It also aims to develop students’ skills as consumers, friends, citizens, and employees who can effectively contribute to communities with a dependable cyber-infrastructure that moves and processes information safely. College credit can be earned and accepted by select colleges based on grade and the Project Lead the Way end-of-course test. Students not desiring college credit are still encouraged to enroll in this class.

PREREQUISITE: Computer Science Principles or teacher recommendation.

COMPUTER SCIENCE CAPSTONE

Full Year-Grade 11-12

Students will apply knowledge learned from previous computer science classes in a culminating year-long project course. Students will work with school and community members to design and implement software solutions for existing problems.

PREREQUISITE: Computer Science A or Teacher Recommendation

COMPUTER SCIENCE INDEPENDENT STUDY

Full Year-Grades 11-12

Students will apply knowledge learned from previous computer science classes and continue their study in a topic of choice. Students will work independently to design and implement software that reflects an understanding of their topic.

PREREQUISITE:  Currently enrolled or completed Computer Science A and teacher approval

TELEVISION STUDIO PRODUCTION

Semester - Grades 10-12

Television Studio Production offers students the chance to experience the real world of television production in a multi-camera production studio. The course will familiarize students with basic concepts in television scriptwriting, storyboard preparation, set design, functions of studio cameras, shot compositions, control room operations, studio lighting, audio functions, and directing techniques. Students are given the experience of simulating crew positions on a television set, learning both the techniques and terminology of the field. While gaining practical, hands-on experience, students will master procedures to produce and direct their own live studio production.

PREREQUISITE:  2.5 cumulative GPA or teacher recommendation

VIDEO PRODUCTION

Semester - Grades 10-12

This course offers students the chance to explore the art of video production, including planning, shooting and editing video footage for a variety of sources. Through class projects, students will have the opportunity to participate in various stages of video production, from concept through completion, producing commercials, music videos, comedic/dramatic skits, club and sports promotions, digital shorts and more. Concepts in video composition, production stages, graphic design, directing and post production are examined, including an introduction to Final Cut Pro editing. This class satisfies the Oral Communication requirement.

Note: This course is the prerequisite course to Pirate TV.

PREREQUISITE:  2.5 cumulative G.P.A. or teacher recommendation

ADVANCED VIDEO PRODUCTION-PIRATE TV

Semester - Grades 11-12

This course is an advanced production course focusing on video production for publication. Students will utilize and expand upon their video production skills in producer roles to create news features, sports stories, student interest segments and entertainment content for Pirate TV. Advanced topics include strategies in concept creation, writing for media publication, on-camera reporting, and advanced post-production techniques using Final Cut Pro and Apple Motion.

PREREQUISITE:  2.5 cumulative GPA required, Television Studio Production with a grade of B or better, Video Production with a grade of B or better, written instruction approval. 

PIRATE SPORTS NETWORK (Sports Media)

Semester -Grade level 10-12 (Not an NCAA approved course)

Pirate Sports Network is a sports media course designed for students with a love of sports and sports storytelling. Students will work as a production team to cover all aspects of Pattonville Varsity sports each season. A strong focus in the fall semester will be the live streaming of home football games and the chance to broadcast live sports commentary throughout the game on our YouTube Livestream platform. Additional opportunities will include producing video sports compilations and promotions for facility score boards as well as sports updates and video highlights for social media. Interested students should note that attendance at various athletic events or practices is a class requirement. This is a semester course that can be repeated for elective credit with instructor permission.

PREREQUISITE: 2.5 GPA or permission of instructor. Video Production recommended.

MANUFACTURING PROCESSES

Semester - Grades 9-12

This class is a window into the world of manufacturing. Students will learn how to communicate ideas using technical language and drawings, as well as how to use these drawings and instructions to fabricate a project that meets expressed criteria. Students will learn about the safe and efficient use of tools used in the modern design and manufacturing processes. The skills acquired in this course will help students gain a better understanding of the skills necessary for success in other industrial technology courses.

PREREQUISITE: None

WOODWORKING

Semester - Grades 9-12

This course teaches students a broader concept of wood technology including intermediate techniques in the operation of machine woodworking equipment, features of construction, selected learning projects and following steps of procedures, plan reading, glue clamps, mechanical fasteners, laminating, and joinery. The area of safety is continually stressed in performance of all woodworking operations.

PREREQUISITE: Manufacturing Processes

CABINETMAKING 1

Semester - Grades 10-12

In this course students will learn about cabinetry styles and construction and be given the opportunity to develop and build a project. Students will adapt the form and function of their project to suit their specific needs. Students will develop a bill of materials needed for their project and will be expected to maintain high level of precision similar to a manufacturing setting. Students will also be required to account for all materials necessary for the project.

PREREQUISITE:  Woodworking

CABINETMAKING 2

Grades 10-12

This course is designed for those students who desire further training and experience in cabinetmaking. This course will give students and opportunity to complete projects that have a scope which is too large to be completed in Cabinetmaking 1. Students will also participate in a class project designed to function as a production facility. Students will work together to mass produce a smaller project, completing one unit for each member of the class.

PREREQUISITE:  Cabinetmaking 1

SPECIALIZED WOODWORKING TECHNOLOGY

Semester - Grade 11-12 

This course is designed for students who desire further training in woodworking in such areas as wood lamination, PEG diffusion, particle molding, projection products of industry, wood plastic composition, residential construction, wood structure and its properties and methods of identification, automatic drying chamber, and constructing three-dimensional visual aids. This is an independent study type of course and the student must receive permission from the woodworking instructor to enroll prior to admittance. The student must identify the problem or area in which he/she wishes to work and present an outline to the instructor for approval.

PREREQUISITE:  Cabinetmaking 2 and Computer Aided Drafting 1